DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Organization Overview
The Dream Project transforms lives. We build future leaders of Virginia by providing college scholarships, coaching, and mentoring to Virginia's immigrant community. With a current annual budget of $1.2 million, we are embarking on an ambitious six year growth plan to reach $3 million in revenue to serve twice as many students and families across the Commonwealth, particularly given the increasing need for support.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Development Director provides strategic and operational leadership for all Dream Project fundraising activities. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Directors, the Director will design and execute a comprehensive development program to grow revenue from $1.2M to $3M over six years. This role requires strategic vision, direct execution, attention to detail, and superior interpersonal skills.
Salary Range and Compensation
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
Implement a multi-year development plan with annual milestones toward the $3M goal.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 50–75 major donors and prospects.
Lead the launch and growth of a major gifts program and planned giving pipeline.
Oversee fundraising events, including the annual signature event, with the assistance of a Development Coordinator and an event planner.
Frontline Donor Engagement & Communications
Largely external facing role to proactively cultivate current and prospective donors.
Develop the messaging and strategy behind compelling donor-facing materials to be written by the Communications Director, for example: case for support, impact reports, appeals, and proposals.
Implement a moves management system to track and advance donor relationships.
Leverage the organization's mission stories to inspire giving across donor segments.
Management of Systems & Operations
Work constructively and proactively as an organizational leader of a team of 7 full time staff alongside the CEO and Chief Operations Officer. Serve as a thought partner and fundraising operations leader.
Build, enhance, and manage CRM system strategy for donor tracking and reporting.
Proactively establish, monitor and advise on key fundraising performance indicators: donor retention, average gift, prospect pipeline value.
Manage the development budget with disciplined cost-per-dollar-raised metrics.
Grants & Institutional Funding
Define and execute the grant fundraising and management strategy (grants are written by the Development Coordinator and/or consultants).
Direct strategy for grants from private foundations, corporate funders, and government sources.
Cultivate relationships with Virginia-based and national funders focused on education and immigration.
Establish timely and accurate grant reporting and compliance.
Board & Volunteer Engagement
Train and support Board members as fundraising ambassadors.
Facilitate a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
Staff Liaison to the Fundraising Committee.
Implement a multi-year development plan with annual milestones toward the $3M goal.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 50–75 major donors and prospects.
Lead the launch and growth of a major gifts program and planned giving pipeline.
Oversee fundraising events, including the annual signature event, with the assistance of a Development Coordinator and an event planner.
Largely external facing role to proactively cultivate current and prospective donors.
Develop the messaging and strategy behind compelling donor-facing materials to be written by the Communications Director, for example: case for support, impact reports, appeals, and proposals.
Implement a moves management system to track and advance donor relationships.
Leverage the organization's mission stories to inspire giving across donor segments.
Work constructively and proactively as an organizational leader of a team of 7 full time staff alongside the CEO and Chief Operations Officer. Serve as a thought partner and fundraising operations leader.
Build, enhance, and manage CRM system strategy for donor tracking and reporting.
Proactively establish, monitor and advise on key fundraising performance indicators: donor retention, average gift, prospect pipeline value.
Manage the development budget with disciplined cost-per-dollar-raised metrics.
Define and execute the grant fundraising and management strategy (grants are written by the Development Coordinator and/or consultants).
Direct strategy for grants from private foundations, corporate funders, and government sources.
Cultivate relationships with Virginia-based and national funders focused on education and immigration.
Establish timely and accurate grant reporting and compliance.
Train and support Board members as fundraising ambassadors.
Facilitate a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
Staff Liaison to the Fundraising Committee.
Required Qualifications
5-8+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience, including individual major gift solicitation.
Demonstrated track record of personally closing 5 to 6-figure gifts or larger.
Experience building and maturing a development department from an early stage.
Proficiency with donor management CRM systems (the Dream Project uses Salesforce).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft compelling donor narratives.
Bachelor's degree required; CFRE or advanced degree a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Virginia-based philanthropic foundations and major donors.
Grant writing experience with public and private grants.
Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should submit a resume and 2 references to executivedirector@dream-project.org. Applications will be received on a rolling basis and must be submitted by June 30, 2026.
Required Qualifications
5-8+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience, including individual major gift solicitation.
Demonstrated track record of personally closing 5 to 6-figure gifts or larger.
Experience building and maturing a development department from an early stage.
Proficiency with donor management CRM systems (the Dream Project uses Salesforce).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft compelling donor narratives.
Bachelor's degree required; CFRE or advanced degree a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Virginia-based philanthropic foundations and major donors.
Grant writing experience with public and private grants.
Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.